Bonus Billboard albums #3

Seeing as though I've covered the most popular albums of the twentieth century in the UK a while back, it only seems fitting to do the same for the most popular albums of the twentieth century on Billboard which should complete my run for overlooking the most popular music of all time in the English-speaking side of the world. Again, I'm only including albums on here that were a success in Australia and/or NZ to avoid making a fool of myself talking about successful albums in America that I've never heard of.

Jay z-Vol 3 #1x1

We have our second and final entry from Jay z on this list as the rest of his catalogue was from the 21st century which this list doesn't cover. It's interesting to note that his international popularity didn't happen until he started dating Beyonce, meaning that in a way he was piggybacking off her success.

#23 for 2000

Tim McGraw-Everywhere #2

I hope you're not done with seeing Tim McGraw on this list as he still has plenty of other entries to come. This was a mini comeback for him as the album he released between this and his earlier entry on this list saw a dip in popularity in his homeland.

#28 for 1997

#51 for 1998

#189 for 1999

Sarah McLachlan-Mirrorball #3

One of the bigger names on the Billboard charts that saw no success internationally was Sarah McLachlan, here she is with her biggest entry in America which came out around the same time her had a global hit as a featured vocalist on the EDM track "Silence" which was the closest she came to finding any success outside of north America.

#42 for 1999

Mariah Carey-Rainbow #2

Although the lead single was a massive worldwide success for her, it appears that everyone outside of her native America had grown tired of Mariah Carey in the mainstream given how much of a failure this album was for her. It would take a well-publicised meltdown for her fellow Americans to follow suit however she came back bigger than ever in 2005.

Hit singles

Heartbreaker #1 (#8 airplay)

#157 for 1999

#31 for 2000

Kenny G-Miracles #1x3

We have another Christmas album on this list, this time it's from Kenny G who managed to outperform Mariah Carey as this came out the same time her Christmas album was released. To think that album only took off internationally and only because it lost out to Kenny G of all people.

#9 for 1995 (#48 cash box)

Spinners-Pick of the litter #8

Most people will only know these guys for their 1980 hits "Working my way back to you" and "Cupid" due to how big they were in the UK of all places, however their fellow Americans will be pleased to know that they were a massive deal throughout the 70's and were a bit of a well-kept secret on Billboard much like the Ohio players and the Isley brothers were.

#77 for 1975 (cash box)

Joe Walsh-But seriously folks #8

Given how we've seen entries from Glenn Frey and Don Henley throughout my site, it may surprise you to learn that another member of the Eagles managed to achieve solo success even if that success didn't extend past his presence on Billboard. This wasn't even Joe Walsh's biggest success in his homeland as that honour goes to his second album from 1973.

Hit singles

Life's been good #12

#67 for 1978 (#32 cash box)

Jeff Foxworthy-Games people play #8

I'm not familiar with the comedic works of Jeff Foxworthy, I guess that's how you know I'm neither an American nor did I grow up in the 90's as he was apparently all the rage with this album in his homeland. Unlike fellow comedians Dan Aykroyd or Steve Martin, he didn't go on to have a successful Hollywood career.

#52 for 1995 (#42 cash box)

#85 for 1996

Carole King-Thoroughbred #3

Unlike the rests of the world, Carole King managed to retain her success on Billboard following her 1971 breakthrough Tapestry. As such, she would've easily swarmed this list had I allowed albums from the first half of the 70's on here. This was her final successful album in her homeland, curiously it's the one prior to album that had her Hard rock cafe endorsement.

#85 for 1976 (#78 cash box)

Go gos-Vacation #8

We're still yet to come across any of Belinda Carlisle's solo entries on the main list, so the fact that we've already featured two albums from her band the Go go's on this list goes to show how much her fellow Americans preferred her work with the band compared to her solo work back in the day. Heck I'm willing to bet that she only took off internationally due to her second album being a surprise hit in the UK.

Hit singles

Vacation #8

#34 for 1982 (cash box)

Mary J Blige-Share my world #1x1

Even though each album she released proved to be less popular than the last, it appears the trade-off was that they had a higher peak position for Mary J Blige given how this is her highest charting album on this list so far. Again, each new album sparked more and more curiosity in NZ until her worldwide breakthrough in 2001 which gave her a chart topping single on Billboard.

Hit singles

Everything #24

#25 for 1997

#159 for 1998

Soul food soundtrack #4

From what I can gather, Soul food is one of many films from the 90's with a predominately black cast that saw massive success in America. It was well received for being a charming dramady which is perhaps why it managed to spawn several hit singles on Billboard that saw minor international success.

Hit singles

What about us #16

A song for mama #7

We're not making love no more #13

#81 for 1997

#73 for 1998

N.W.A -Efil4zaggin #1x1

I'm taking a page from Rateyourmusic by presenting the name of this album from N.W.A backwards to avoid using a word that will divide readers on this list, naturally this is an album that was made for a specific target audience in mind who came out in droves to make it a chart topper for the hip hop group in their homeland.

#50 for 1991 (#20 cash box)

Sarah McLachlan-Surfacing #2

This came out right before her live album from earlier on this list, meaning this was the album that had put Sarah Mclachlan on the map in America despite already having massive success in her native Canada prior to its release. Her popularity would continue in both countries moving into the 21st century, something that would be contained in north America.

#49 for 1997

#28 for 1998

#45 for 1999

Herb Alpert-Rise #6

Even in his homeland, this album came right out of nowhere for Herb Alpert given how he hadn't found any success in his career since his heyday from a decade prior. Even then, I get the feeling this was only a success due to the title track becoming a surprise hit in certain parts of the world, impressive for an instrumental track from the disco era.

Hit singles

Rise #1

#48 for 1979 (cash box)

#23 for 1980

Fat boys-Crushing #8

Well at least I know why these guys managed to find success in NZ and the UK, it appears the fellow Americans to the Fat boys passed up on their singles in favour of making this album a massive hit for them on Billboard. That said, this wasn't their first attempt at success as they failed three times prior to this taking off.

Hit singles

Wipeout #12

#65 for 1987 (#31 cash box)

Scorpions-Savage amusement #5

This is the only other success that the Scorpions had in America throughout their career, I guess this was due to the German band being in the right place at the right time as they no doubt benefitted from the hair metal craze that seemed to only dominate the Billboard charts and nowhere else in the world.

#33 for 1988 (#33 cash box)

Van Halen-Balance #1x1

Even this far into their career, Van Halen still manages to make it to number one with their albums which is something not a lot of bands and artists can claim regardless of which part of the world we're referring to. This is the final album with Sammy Hagar on vocals, meaning the band was in desperate need for another vocalist moving forward.

#26 for 1995 (#28 cash box)

Linda Ronstadt-Prisoner in disguise #4

This is the album Linda Ronstadt released immediately after she scored a chart topper from the album prior to its release, as you can imagine, this was a rush release from the songstress which means it only found success due to her artist momentum and not for the quality of the album itself.

#28 for 1975 (cash box)

Michael Kamen-Robin hood prince of thieves #5

Kevin Costner's version of Robin Hood still divides audiences to this day, mainly because of his uneven English accent but also due to its more serious tone which many feel takes the charm away from the British fable. One thing that's unanimously praised about the film is the score from composer Michael Kamen, although I get the feeling this took off on Billboard due to it including Bryan Adam's theme song on it.

Hit singles

I do it for you #1 (#1 airplay)

#69 for 1991 (#49 cash box)

Selena-Dreaming of you #1x1

This was a bittersweet success for Selena as she had already been murderer by the time her final album saw the light of day, what's really tragic is that no one in the English-speaking market had heard of her prior to her death which was such a media frenzy that a biopic documenting her life was released a mere two years after it occurred.

Hit singles

I could fall in love #8 (airplay)

#44 for 1995 (#29 cash box)

#123 for 1996

Dave Matthews band-Before these crowded streets #1x1

Here we are with another entry from the Dave Matthews band, this time it's their first album they were able to top the Billboard charts with even though they were widely mocked for their music even back then. From what I can gather, they were the Nickelback of the late 90's given how the overwhelming argument against them is how safe and derivative they are.

#30 for 1998

#77 for 1999

Doobie brothers-One step closer #3

We have one final entry from the Doobie brothers on this list, this one being the follow up to their top entry which really goes to show how fleeting a band's popularity is depending on where in the world you're from. Of course, their popularity continued until they called it quits in their homeland; however, they reunited later in the 80's to little fanfare even on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Real love #5

#27 for 1980 (cash box)

#76 for 1981

O'jays-Family reunion #7

You could almost add the O'jays to the list of musicians of colour from the 70's that only found success in America, however they did managed to achieve a massive hit in 1978 with "Use ta be my girl" in NZ which simply puts them in the same category as Earth wind and fire for black artists who found limited international success back in the day. This wasn't the album that spawned that big hit but was regardless their biggest success in America.

#42 for 1976 (#71 cash box)

Trisha Yearwood-Songbook #4

As it turns out, Trisha Yearwood was a D tier country singer who found no success in her career barring her Oscar winning ballad from Con air. This was meant to help fans discover her back catalogue following the success she had with the ballad; however, it appears only her fellow Americans were interested in what else she had to offer as they passed up on her ballad to allow Leann rimes to dominate the Billboard charts with her version.

Hit singles

How do I live #23

#59 for 1997

#71 for 1998

Kenny Loggins-Nightwatch #7

If you can believe it, Kenny Loggins actually had a career outside of making theme songs to some of the most well-known films of the 80's in his career. This was his biggest album which came right before he contributed to the Caddyshack soundtrack which coincidentally spawned the only hit in his career anywhere in the world which wasn't attached to a popular film.

Hit singles

Whenever I call you friend #5

#34 for 1978 (cash box)

Journey-Raised on radio #4

There was no slowing Journey down in their homeland throughout the 80's, in fact they decided to end things on a high note by breaking up a year after they released this album which continued their winning streak on Billboard. I would say this was due to this failing internationally; except they never had any international success even when frontman Steve Perry scored a worldwide hit with "Oh Sherrie."

#36 for 1986 (#34 cash box)

#52 for 1987

ZZ Top-Recycler #6

If you're wondering what happened to ZZ top during the second half of the 80's, they simply took the rest of the decade off following the success of their two entries on the main list. They returned with this album which was only successful in their homeland as the rest of the world had moved on from their brand of rock and roll by the time it saw the light of day.

Hit singles

Double back #50

#51 for 1991

Wynonna Judd-Wynonna #4

Prior to the release of her debut album, Wynonna Judd was one half of the Judds which was a collaborative project with her mother Ashley Judd. The duo didn't see much success together, which makes this solo breakthrough from Wynonna in her homeland all the more puzzling. I guess the mother and daughter duo were simply ahead of their time when it comes to female country music.

#29 for 1992 (#33 cash box)

#64 for 1993

Joni Mitchell-The hissing of summer lawns #4

Joni Mitchell was on a roll in America during the midpoint of the decade given how this is her second entry on this list, again this was a complete failure for her everywhere else in the world except her native Canada where she retained sound success following her debut single "Big yellow taxi."

Hit in 1976

Extreme-Pornograffiti #10

If you're wondering how this album failed to appear anywhere else on this site, there's an urban legend that it was in fact a success worldwide but only briefly as fans of the surprise hit it spawned returned it to the stores in disgust when they realised they purchased a hair metal album in the vein of Motley Crue or Poison. It's only an urban legend, and it falls apart when you consider how well the album did in America.

Hit singles

More than words #1 (#3 airplay)

Hole hearted #4 (#6 airplay)

#23 for 1991 (#17 cash box)

Cat Stevens-Greatest hits #6

Not only was this a candidate for my UK list, but I also even brought it up when we looked at his 1990 entry. This is another artist that would've flooded this list had I allowed albums from the early 70's on here, this more than justifies how well this album did on Billboard back in the day.

#99 for 1975 (#49 cash box)

Diana Ross-Diana Ross #5

This was another candidate for my UK list, I guess we Aussies and kiwis weren't too interested in Diana Ross's career by the mid 70's even though this album spawned not one but two chart toppers for her on Billboard. I'm not sure what to make of this album's failure in the southern hemisphere, the best I can think of is that we were done with Diana's music but changed our minds once the 80's rolled around.

Hit singles

Mahogany #1
Love hangover #1

#41 for 1976 (#65 cash box)

Cars-Panorama #5

Well, I've talked about this album quite a bit whenever we brought up the Cars on this site, time now to finally look at the third album from their discography which did quite well in their homeland even though it was a massive failure for them in Australia and NZ. I bring this up due to the fact that it was us Aussies and kiwis that gave them success initially where their fellow Americans didn't.

Hit singles

Touch and go #37

#38 for 1980 (cash box)

Styx-Pieces of eight #6

And we're still not done with looking over Styx's catalogue as they managed to score a huge success in their homeland with this number, although this is their final entry on this list given how we've officially looked over everything they released during the peak of their popularity from the mid 70's to the early 80's.

#37 for 1978 (cash box)

#7 for 1979 (#69 cash box)

Michael McDonald-If that's what it takes #6

Given how the Doobie brothers were no more by the time the MTV era rolled around (at least temporarily) this was the perfect opportunity for frontman Michael McDonald to launch his solo career which was off to a good start with this album albeit only in his native America. Indeed, his only international solo success was with Patti Labelle on her hit single "Own my own."

#25 for 1982 (cash box)

John Cafferty-Eddie and the cruisers #9

From what I can gather, this is a soundtrack to a film known as Eddie and the cruisers which is a movie I and most others have never heard of but was clearly popular enough for this album to be a success for John Cafferty who provided the music for the soundtrack. I guess this was something that took off from home media because its box office stats are abysmal.

#48 for 1984 (cash box)

Ruff Ryders-Ride or die #1x1

Now technically, I should disqualify this album as it's a compilation release which Billboard finally allowed on their album charts given how we've skipped over a few Now releases from the late 90's. I've allowed this on here as it's a compilation album comprised specifically of rappers on a specific label, in this case, the Ruff Ryders label.

#35 for 1999

Allman brothers-Enlightened rogues #9

In case you were wondering, the 1973 album Brothers and sisters was a candidate for my early 70's list on the Australian side of my site that I decided against including on that list, this is largely why I'm apprehensive with including albums from the early 70's on this site due to the lack of stats there are for the album charts in Australia and NZ. That out of the way, we have this comeback album from the Allman brothers which became a hit for them following the divorce frontman Greg Allman had with Cher shortly before its release.

#76 for 1979 (#56 cash box)

Eric Clapton-Another ticket #7

This came close to appearing on the NZ side of my site as it did crack their top ten back in the day for Eric Clapton, alas it was too minor of a hit to appear on my site prior to its appearance on this list. This was the last anyone had heard from the blues legend for over a decade until he appeared on the soundtrack to a now long forgotten film Rush.

#72 for 1981 (#44 cash box)

Outfield-Play deep #9

File this in the category of a British band finding success in America but nowhere else in the world, this time it's the Outfield who despite being a complete failure in their native UK, managed to achieve massive success on Billboard with their debut album despite the music being out of place on what it was competing with in America.

#17 for 1986 (#20 cash box)

Emotions-Rejoice #7

This was the only success that the Emotions were able to achieve even in their native America, admittedly it was mainly due to it spawning a massive chart topper on Billboard that became an international success for the trio, however they had other hits in NZ of all places that didn't even touch the American charts.

Hit singles

Best of my love #1

#74 for 1977 (#33 cash box)

Teddy Pendergrass-Teddy #5

If you're wondering who on earth Teddy Pendergrass is, he's an American soul singer in the vein of Lionel Richie or Marvin Gaye who scored a massive hit with his third album on the Billboard charts. This was his only success in his career, likely due to him getting big right when the supposed disco backlash was in full swing.

#88 for 1979 (#36 cash box)

Reba McEntire-It's your call #8

Reba McEntire has been active in the industry since the mid 70's; however, she got her big break nearly two decades later with this album due to how country had taken over the mainstream in America throughout the 90's. As such, she has other entries to come on this bonus list of mine including several that charted higher than this did.

#19 for 1993 (#26 cash box)

Shai-If I ever fall in love #6

Apparently, these guys are still together to this day, this is odd given how they only have one successful album to their name and that success was largely confided to the Billboard charts. Admittedly they did see a ton of international success with the title track of their debut album, however that's about all anyone outside of their native America knows about them.

Hit singles

If I ever fall in love #2 (#2 airplay)

Comforter #10 (#8 airplay)

#28 for 1993 (#21 cash box)

Barenaked ladies-Stunt #3

This is the only entry from Barenaked ladies on this list, mainly because it was their breakthrough album on the American charts given how their earlier albums were only hits in their native Canada and nowhere else in the world. The lead single was a huge hit here in Australia; however, it's largely known as one of many songs form the late 90's that's been used for trailer fodder for (usually terrible) films.

Hit singles

One week #1 (#2 airplay)

#33 for 1998

#51 for 1999

Al Jarreau-Breaking away #9

This is the only notable success that Al Jarreau had throughout his career even in his native America, he seems like yet another knockoff of Lionel Richie which I'm guessing the rest of the world had little room for given how Lionel himself was struggling for mainstream relevancy during the first stretch of the 80's.

Hit singles

We're in this together #15

#40 for 1981 (cash box)

#21 for 1982

Commodores-Live #3

This came close to appearing on the NZ side of my site, in fact it probably deserves to be on my 1978 list given how it had the misfortune of coming out during the summer break of 1977/1978 over there where it no doubt saw the bulk of its success. In any case, it was a decent hit in the Commodores homeland likely due to how much they were on a roll in America.

#55 for 1978 (#69 cash box)

Charlie Daniels band-Million mile reflections #5

This is the only notable success that the Charlie Daniels band had even in their homeland, likely due to how big the lead single was on Billboard which was incentive enough for us Aussies to make a hit just as the 70's was coming to an end. The best way I can describe their music is if country and prog decided to get along with each other.

Hit singles

The devil went down to Georgia #3

#48 for 1979 (#37 cash box)

Isley brothers-Go for your guns #6

We have another entry from the Isley brothers on this list, this time it's the follow up to their previous entry on here which goes to show just how much they were on a roll in their native America even if they never dented a single chart internationally. Indeed, we're not done with looking at all their albums on this list.

#42 for 1977 (#39 cash box)

Jefferson Starship-Freedom at point zero #10

This is the final entry we'll be looking at from Jefferson Starship/Starship on this list, suffice to say that we're starting to get to the more obscure entries on this list even as far as the Americans are concerned given how I don't see anyone talking about this album from their catalogue.

Hit singles

Jane #14

#45 for 1980 (#41 cash box)

The who-It's hard #8

This was the final album that the Who released before going their separate ways in 1983, it saw very little fanfare throughout the world except for America where it did well enough to appear high on this list. I guess this explains how Pete Townshend was able to retain his popularity in America as the decade went on.

#44 for 1982 (cash box)

Megadeth-Countdown to extinction #2

This came out a mere six months after the black album from Metallica, so naturally their main rivals Megadeth would see massive success with this album in their homeland even if they didn't "sell out" with this release. For those outside the know, these guys formed following the departure of Dave Mustaine from Metallica, meaning this rivalry was more than just a popularity contest between both bands.

Hit singles

Symphony of destruction #71

#64 for 1992 (#29 cash box)

Marvin Gaye-I want you #4

Although he achieved massive success with his earlier material, this is the earliest entry from Marvin Gaye that was a candidate for this list given how his early material came from the early 70's which I disqualified for this list. That said, he did see much more success in his homeland during the second half of the decade as we've already seen.

#53 for 1976 (#23 cash box)

Lynyrd Skynyrd-One more from the road #9

For those out of the know, this is the band that brought us "Sweet home Alabama" which is a response track to disparaging comments Neil Young made about the deep south in America (specifically it's problematic history when it comes to slavery which admittedly had been decades prior even back then.) This was a live album which was the best they could do with one of their albums in America.

#89 for 1977 (#92 cash box)

Dr Dolittle soundtrack #4

Although it was a box office hit, critics are torn with Eddie Murphy's adaptation of Dr Dolittle given how it's much crasser than the 60's version starring Rex Harrison. At least it's got its fans and in some circles is considered the best adaptation of the book of the same name, it also has a soundtrack which was a massive hit in America due to the lead single being a radio staple for Aaliyah.

Hit singles

Are you that somebody #21 (#4 airplay)

#40 for 1998

A taste of honey-A taste of honey #6

If there was an archetype for a one album wonder, A taste of honey would be it as they never stood a chance at scoring any success with their subsequent albums due to their breakthrough hit being such a product of the disco craze of the late 70's. That said, they did score a second hit with their cover of Kyo Sakomoto's "Ue o Muite Arukō" in 1981 given how they saw most of their success in Japen with this album.

Hit singles

Boogie oogie oogie #1

#80 for 1978 (#49 cash box)

Set it off soundtrack #4

Given how the singles managed to be massive hits in NZ, it makes sense that the soundtrack to the critically acclaimed film Set it off was a massive success in America even if the songs didn't do as well on Billboard as they did in NZ. In fact, the success in NZ was the complete inverse of what it achieved in America right down to how well each of the singles did.

Hit singles

Missing you #25

Don't let go #2 (#3 airplay)

Let it go #25

#106 for 1996

#70 for 1997

James Taylor-Gorilla #6

While it wasn't as successful as his entry on the main list, this album was a success for James Taylor on Billboard which makes the album that came between these two entries puzzling given how you'd think it would retain his winning streak he had in America. Naturally this was a massive dud for him worldwide, however he would return here in Australia later in the 70's.

Hit singles

How sweet it is #5

#53 for 1975 (#39 cash box)

Chic-Risque #5

Given how their entry on the main list was a massive worldwide hit for Chic, it only makes sense that the album they immediately followed it up with would also be a massive success for them in their homeland. Even though this spawned a massive chart topper for the band on Billboard, it proved to be their final success as the 80's was particularly unkind to them.

Hit singles

Good times #1

#50 for 1979 (cash box)

Rick Springfield-Working class dog #7

Well, this is awkward, we now have to albums from Rick Springfield on this list which means that the Australian musician had more success in America than he did at home throughout his career. Granted he never saw success on Billboard during his time with Zoot, however that's only hit less hit he had overall given how everything he else he had success with here was also the case in America.

Hit singles

Jessie's girl #1

I've done everything for you #8

#38 for 1981 (#37 cash box)

#31 for 1982

Warrant-Dirty rotten filthy stinking rich #10

Some people might be confused as to how Warrant scored massive success here in Australia with their second album when their first was a massive dud here, I actually don't have an answer to that as both albums are the same hair metal that was omnipresent during the transition of the 80's to the 90's that gave success to the likes of Poison and Motley Crue.

Hit singles

Down boys #27

#28 for 1989 (#48 cash box)

#88 for 1990

Nas-I am #1x2

Given how many chart toppers there were from the hip hop genre on Billboard, it's easy to think that the rest of the world had an intolerance towards the genre as the best many of these rappers could do was the odd hit single here and there. This was the case for Nas who despite having his second chart topping appearance on this list, only had one hit internationally with "If I ruled the world" in NZ.

#40 for 1999

ZZ top-Fandango #10

OK I jumped the gun when I said that ZZ Top never had much success in their homeland prior to their mainstream breakthrough in the 80's, it turns out this was a decent hit for the trio as was the previous album that came before this which was what actually put them on the map in their homeland. This just means that their fellow Americans let them fade into obscurity for almost a decade before they came back in 1983.

#33 for 1975 (#23 cash box)

Freddie Jackson-Rock me tonight #10

In case you were wondering, no this guy has no relation to the Jackson 5 even though he broke through right when they released their most successful album in their homeland. Instead, Freddie Jackson was an RNB singer who scored a massive hit on Billboard with his debut album during the height of the Live aid era only to never be heard from again following the failure of his subsequent follow ups.

Hit singles

You are my lady #12

#74 for 1985 (#48 cash box)

#42 for 1986

George Harrison-Dark horse #4

There's still a bunch of entries to come from George Harrison on this list, however this is far and away his oldest entry on here due to it coming out at the tail end of 1974. Whereas the rest of the world grew tired of his solo work by the time this third solo album came out, it appears the Americans kept him around throughout the 70's even if his popularity dwindled as time went on.

#69 for 1975 (cash box)

Lynyrd Skynyrd-Street survivors #5

Even though their biggest success was with a live album in their homeland, this comes in at a close second which is odd because the album with "Sweet home Alabama" on it was barely a success for the band in their homeland. I guess you can consider this another American act to only be a success on Billboard except you don't hear much of the rest of their catalogue on oldies stations.

#86 for 1977 (cash box)

#42 for 1978 (#41 cash box)

Debby Boone-You light up my life #6

Is it possible for a song to be too successful for an artist? The answer is yes as despite the fact that her debut album did fairly well upon its initial release in America, even her fellow Americans would struggle to name a second single from Debby Boone due to how inescapable the title track was on the Billboard charts throughout the 70's.

Hit singles

You light up my life #1

#90 for 1977 (cash box)

The show soundtrack #4

If there was a credible reason to push back against hip hop music back in the 90's, it would be due to how omnipresent the genre was in America when the rest of the world clearly wasn't interested in it. I bring this up because we have the soundtrack to a documentary about how the genre took over the country throughout the decade which was far more successful than the film itself.

#84 for 1995 (#37 cash box)

DMX-It's dark and hell is hot #1x1

We have one final entry from DMX on this list, once again, it's a chart-topping album which goes to show how being a chart topper had lost all meaning by the late 90's on Billboard given how we have albums that failed to crack the top ten appear higher than this would've had it seen any success anywhere else in the world.

#34 for 1998

#33 for 1999

Wreckx n effect-Hard or smooth #9

If you can believe it, this wasn't even the first album from Wreckx n effect as they previously released an album in 1989 to deafening silence in their homeland. Indeed, I get the feeling this only became a success on Billboard due to the lead single becoming one of the biggest hits of the decade in America as well as a huge success internationally for the duo.

Hit singles

Rump shaker #2 (#8 airplay)

Wreckx shop #101

#44 for 1993 (#34 cash box)

Staying alive soundtrack #6

The legends are true people, there is in fact a sequel to Saturday night fever that's named after one of that film's most iconic tracks. While I haven't seen this movie, I can confirm that it's considered one of the worst movies of all time due to it needlessly continuing the story of Tony Manero when the first film already concluded his character ark satisfyingly (yes, I have seen the first film.)

#27 for 1983

Tim McGraw-Greatest hits #4

Given how successful he was throughout the 90's, it makes sense that Tim McGraw would cap off the twentieth century with this greatest hits album that promises much more success for him moving forward. Unlike most artists, he was able to overcome the greatest hits curse as he indeed saw massive success moving forward into the 21st century albeit only in his homeland.

#21 for 2001

Isley brothers-Showdown #4

We still have plenty of entries to get to from the Isley brothers on this list, again I'm hoping their presence on here will finally give me some credence on the internet giving how everyone only seems to care about how well things do on the American charts for some reason. In any case, we have this album from the RNB group which was a massive hit for them locally and nowhere else in the world.

#82 for 1978 (#40 cash box)

The nutty professor soundtrack #8

Much like the Dr Dolittle remake from earlier, Eddie Murphy's remake of the Nutty professor also spawned a massive soundtrack that was successful in America. It was even a minor success in NZ, though it was too minor for me to consider it putting on that side of my site. Much like his other remake, this was also a massive box office hit but splits critics due to how much crasser it is compared to the original.

Hit singles

I like #28

Touch me tease me #14

Last night #9

#74 for 1996

Snoop Dogg-Da game is to be sold not to be told #1x2

Even though Snoop Dogg had a dark period in his discography as far as most of the world is concerned, I think that's only the case for him critically in his homeland as commercially he didn't stop finding success on Billboard until the 2010's even with what many consider to be his worst work.

#42 for 1998

R Kelly-TP-2.com #1x1

We have another entry on this list that's among the most recent, this time it's from R Kelly who continued his winning streak he had throughout the 90's into the 21st century with this release. He's another RNB star who would find massive success on Billboard despite his international success being fairly limited to the odd chart-topping hit here and there.

#168 for 2000

#19 for 2001

Jermaine Jackson-Let's get serious #6

If you can believe it, this is the only solo success that Jermaine Jackson had even in his homeland despite the singles from his 1984 effort being quite popular throughout Europe. I get the feeling this was only a success dur to his younger brother Michael having one of the hottest albums of the moment with Off the wall, without that this probably would've sunk even on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Let's get serious #9

#42 for 1980 (#42 cash box)

Georgia Satellites-Georgia satellites #5

Oh, wow do these guys feel out of place when they got big, granted you could argue they were part of the heartland rock of the day even though this feels more in line with the southern rock of the 70's along the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman brothers. This didn't prevent the album from being a massive hit for Georgia Satellites (what is with that name) in their homeland or even sparking curiosity here in Australia.

Hit singles

Keep your hands to yourself #2

#36 for 1987

Kenny Rogers-Share your love #6

As this was the album that came immediately after his greatest hits package from the main list, it makes sense that this would be a huge success for Kenny Rogers in his homeland even if this failed to dent a chart outside of Billboard. That said, he would release two more albums in his homeland that were complete failures before returning with Eyes that see in the dark that restored his popularity.

Hit singles

I don't need you #3

#98 for 1981 (#30 cash box)

#62 for 1982

Crosby and Nash-Wind on the water #6

Not only did Graham Nash and David Crosby find success with this album during the midpoint of the 70's, but it also turns out it wasn't even their first success together as they had a bigger hit with their first collaboration together three years prior in America and nowhere else in the world. Lightning didn't strike a third time as their third and fourth album together bombed even on Billboard.

#60 for 1975

38 special-Special forces #10

Thought that it was random that these guys scored a surprise hit in Australia by the end of the 80's? Well, it might be a bit less random when you consider that they had a decent hit in their homeland with this album seven years prior even if it failed to dent a chart outside of America. It was their only successful album, meaning I have no idea how they scored a hit both in America and down under in 1989.

#66 for 1982 (#56 cash box)

Phil Collins-Tarzan #5

It had been five years since Phil Collins troubled a chart anywhere in the world, so to see him back on the Billboard charts with his tie in soundtrack to Disney's Tarzan must have been a bit of a shock for audiences at the time (I was only seven when this happened, and all I remember is finding out just how much I hated the Vengaboys even back then.) If there wasn't a backlash against him before, there was after this came out.

Hit singles

You'll be in my heart #21

#54 for 1999

Smokey Robinson-Being with you #10

This came so close to appearing on the NZ side of my site given how Smokey Robinson was on a roll over there just like he was in his native America with this album, alas it was too niche for me to consider it a true success like the entries that did make it on there. This obviously wasn't the case in his homeland where this became a massive success for him on the Billboard charts.

Hit singles

Being with you #2

#46 for 1981 (#46 cash box)

Crosby Stills and Nash-Daylight again #8

Even though the rest of the world had given up on these guys by the time the MTV era rolled around, it appears the Americans didn't as they scored a massive hit with this album at a time where Duran Duran and the Human league were reigning supreme on the mainstream. This would be their finally successful album in America as their next release would be a total disaster for them (despite Neil Young rejoining them.)

#86 for 1983 (#37 cash box)

Luther Vandross-Any love #9

So here's a bit of a weird turn of events, Luther Vandross, a man best known for his duets with Janet Jackson and Mariah Carey, it turns out this guy was a massive deal in the UK given how I skipped over not one but two of his albums on my UK list (I'll point out the which ones they are as we go down this list.) It's weird that his biggest success in his homeland was neither of these albums.

Hit singles

Any love #44

She won't talk to me #30

#48 for 1988 (cash box)

#52 for 1989

Rush hour soundtrack #5

One of my favourite films of the 90's is the first Rush hour, critics and audiences agree with me when I say that it's a fun buddy cop flick that pairs Chris Tucker with Jackie Chan in one of his earlier English-speaking roles (I believe Rumble in the Bronx is the first.) From what I can gather, the soundtrack and the score was sold as a two for one deal as there's some sources that credit Lalo Schifrin as the artist and not the generic various artists soundtracks usually have.

Hit singles

How deep is your love #3

#113 for 1998

#144 for 1999

Mannheim steamroller-Christmas in the Aire #3

This could've only gotten big during the height of the new age craze, in fact this isn't the only album from Mannheim steamroller (holy crap that band name) as they've been at it since the mid 70's with this being the only success to their name. Given that this is a Christmas release, there was little chance it would appear much higher on this list.

#27 for 1996

Bone thugs n harmony-The art of war #1x1

Even if I included their work from the 21st century, this would be the final entry from Bone thugs n harmony as although they usually debuted high on the Billboard charts, their subsequent follow ups all failed to retain a loyal fanbase that their first two albums achieved throughout the 90's. Again, we have a big hit on there that was as such over in NZ, although it might be due to also appearing on the Batman and robin soundtrack.

Hit singles

Look into my eyes #4

If I could teach the world #27

#47 for 1997

Elmer Bernstein-Wild wild west #4

You just saw me gushing over a film I love from the 90's, time now to watch me trash a movie I can't stand which is Wild wild west. The short of it is that it has Will Smith at his most unlikable (on screen of course) going through a story that can politely be described as convoluted and less politely as utter shit. Naturally the soundtrack was a success, although for some reason "Bailamos" is on here even though I don't remember hearing that song in the film.

Hit singles

Wild wild west #1 (#2 airplay)

Bailamos #1 (#6 airplay)

#63 for 1999

LL Cool J-Walking with a panther #6

Although this album wasn't as popular as his earlier entry on this list, LL Cool J did make up for that by having one of the singles be a success outside of his native America given how the lead single here managed to become a hit in NZ just as the 80's was beginning to wind down. His success throughout the 90's would be uneven, meaning we haven't seen the last of him on this list just yet.

Hit singles

I'm that type of guy #15

#61 for 1989 (#29 cash box)

Brooks and Dunn-Borderline #5

In case you were wondering, the Brooks from Brooks and Dunn has no relation to Garth Brooks, meaning that there was more than one famous country star with that name that was popular in America throughout the 90's and it wasn't even due to nepotism. As for the duo themselves, they were quite big in their homeland even if that success didn't translate internationally.

#37 for 1996

#103 for 1997

Nutty professor the Klumps soundtrack #4

And you thought the first Eddie Muphy film about the Nutty professor was crass, it appears he went overboard with this sequel as the critics found it too absurd to give it a pass like they did for his earlier entry on this list. That said, the soundtrack was well received, likely due to the lead single which coincidentally is performed by the female lead of the flick Janet Jackson.

Hit singles

Doesn't really matter #1 (#2 airplay)

#88 for 2000

Deana Carter-Did I shave my legs for this #10

OK, what on earth did I type out for this title? From what I can gather, Deana Carter is a country star who saw moderate success in her homeland throughout the 90's with her debut album. It was a short-lived success given how the likes of Shania Twain and Leann Rimes would make her brand of country obsolete by the time she released her second album.

#14 for 1997

John Michael Montgomery-Kicking it up #1x1

We have another entry from John Michael Montgomery on this list, this time it's with the album that came immediately prior to his biggest success and one that actually out peaked it as this went to number one of the country star on Billboard. This is his final entry on this list as the rest of his output was only popular in the country scene, meaning that it was only popular in the south and Midwest.

#35 for 1994

#119 for 1995

Billboard albums VI

Seeing as though I've covered the most popular albums of the twentieth century in the UK a while back, it only seems fitting to do the same for the most popular albums of the twentieth century on Billboard which should complete my run for overlooking the most popular music of all time in the English-speaking side of the world. Again, I'm only including albums on here that were a success in Australia and/or NZ to avoid making a fool of myself talking about successful albums in America that I've never heard of.

Much like the rest of the world, this was the final taste of success that Eric Clapton had in America given how it was a collaboration with souls legend BB King in his twilight years on this planet. Naturally it was a massive hit for the duo as a celebration of how far the blues had come since the latter broke through onto the scene back in the 50's.

Peak position #3

#52 for 2000

This is one of the last hair metal albums to achieve success anywhere in the world given how it came out months prior to when Nirvana shook up the rock and roll scene with their entry on this list. Even though the album was a success for the band in their homeland, the singles weren't as they felt too out of place with all the contemporary Christian music that got big in 1991.

Peak position #1x1

#54 for 1991 (#33 cash box)

If you're wondering why this album is so low on this list, that's because it was a success in Australia thanks to Triple J discovering it and promoting the hell out of it back in the day. It was a success in NZ due to the kiwis following our lead, however it appears that this was a success in America independent of how well it did in the southern hemisphere given how the singles all flopped on Billboard.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Peaches #29

#185 for 1995

#24 for 1996

If you can believe it, this was a comeback for Santana given how their albums from the second half of the 70's did poorly on Billboard. For what it's worth, their early material was all highly successful in their homeland and would've swarmed this list already had I allowed early 70's albums to appear on here.

Peak position #9

#32 for 1981 (#36 cash box)

This will be the last we hear from Bruce Springsteen for quite some time on this list as his 90's output was just as mediocre on the Billboard charts as it was internationally. Indeed when this album that feels like filler when you compared it to the rest of his catalogue manages to make it this high up compared to those entries, that should tell you how far he had fallen by 1992.

Peak position #3

#40 for 1982

Given how the lead single was one of the most successful of the 80's worldwide (except here in Australia for some reason) it makes sense that Falco would see massive success with it in America even if the rest of the world saw him as a novelty act. Heck had it not randomly spiked in popularity in NZ, it would be on my bonus list as opposed to featured on the main list.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Rock me Amadeus #1

Vienna calling #18

#54 for 1986 (#35 cash box)

Given how the film was a critical and commercial success, it makes sense that the soundtrack to the Crow would match the success it achieved in Australia over in America. It's one of many soundtracks from the 90's that could double as a gateway to alternative rock of the day given how none of the songs were commercially viable to chart among the likes of Mariah Carey or Madonna.

Peak position #1x1

#46 for 1994 (#27 cash box)

It was a bit of a tight fit for my 1988 list on the Australian side of my site, however that was good enough for this second album from Bruce Hornsby and company to make it onto this list given how well they did in their homeland with it. Their third album was such a disaster even in their homeland that the band called it quits by 1991.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

The valley road #5

#38 for 1988 (#28 cash box)

Unlike here in Australia where this was a sleeper hit for the brothers Gibb due to our scepticism of if the Beatles knockoff group could transition into the (then) growing disco phenomena, the Americans had more of an open mind given how the lead single was an instant chart topper for them on Billboard. A year after its release and our scepticism seemed like a complete farce.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

You should be dancing #1

Love so right #3

#62 for 1976 (cash box)

#24 for 1977 (#95 cash box)

As this was a sleeper hit here in Australia for Chicago, it's yet another album on here that wasn't exactly a mainstream success anywhere in the world outside of Chicago's native America. Even then, I get the feeling this was only a hit on Billboard due to how inescapable the lead single was back in the day, it was an international hit even throughout Europe after all.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Hard to say I'm sorry #1

Love me tomorrow #22

#89 for 1982 (#27 cash box)

I wasn't expecting the Americans to be the reason why Alan Parsons had such success in Australia and NZ during the height of the MTV era, true they never had any success in their native UK; however, they weren't exactly household names on Billboard throughout the 70's either. I'm also finding out that it was us Aussies and kiwis that made prog mainstream back in the day.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Eye in the sky #3

#76 for 1982 (#33 cash box)

This album barely missed out on appearing on the UK side of my site, it got pushed aside by one too many compilation albums from back in the day to make it onto that list. It saw no such pushback on the Billboard charts for Joe Jackson even though it weas only in Australia that the lead single managed to find any success in the world. Australia is also the only place in the world where Joe isn't a one album wonder.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Stepping out #6

Breaking us in two #18

#49 for 1982 (cash box)

#22 for 1983 (#55 cash box)

You may be surprised to see how low this album is on this list given how well it did internationally as well as the critical and commercial success of the film it's a soundtrack to, I guess you can blame the lawsuit that occurred when Ray Parker Jr stole the melody from "I want a new drug" from Huey Lewis to make the title track. Interestingly, the film is one of the few to see resurgence on the internet due to the infamous 2016 remake.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Ghostbusters #1

#69 for 1984 (#32 cash box)

It looks like the kiwis got it right when it comes to the success of the Black Crowes as this was far less popular both over there and in the band's homeland than their earlier entry was. Admittedly this was a hit here in Australia due to us Aussies wanting to check out what all the fuss was about, however the band would be yesterday's news by the time album number three rolled around.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Remedy #48

#41 for 1992 (#25 cash box)

You knew this album was coming, no way the Americans would allow new material from the fab four to slip them by especially given how inescapable this was throughout the rest of the world. That said, it's a bit of a surprise with how much less representation they've had on this list, I guess the non Americans struggling to find success on Billboard rule applies even to post breakup material.

Peak position #1x3

Hit singles

Free as a bird #6

#8 for 1996

What was that about 80's disco being a paradox on Billboard? OK so nothing from the genre may have been inescapable in America once the 70's were no more, however it does bring me great pleasure in disproving the myth that the disco backlash had any significant impact on the genre back in the day. That said, this wasn't Brothers Johnson's biggest success in their homeland like it was internationally.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Stomp #7

#38 for 1980 (#32 cash box)

It may surprise you to learn that this was a massive flop for Al Stewart in his native UK despite how well it did internationally for him including in America where its success likely encouraged us Aussies and kiwis to check out what all the fuss was about. I'm guessing it was his failure to connect with his fellow Brits that resulted in him being a one album wonder everywhere else in the world.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Year of the cat #8

#18 for 1977 (#29 cash box)

Even though these guys scored two massive hits on Billboard around the time they dropped their magnum opus in America, I should point out that this was the only success the Scottish band had in America as opposed to the several albums they had success with internationally including their native UK. In a way, this feels like a novelty release from them due to the success they had with the Breakfast club.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Alive and kicking #3

Sanctify yourself #14

All the things she said #28

#24 for 1986 (#30 cash box)

Of all the Godzilla adaptations over the years, the 1998 rendition is widely considered to be the worst as many feels it's little more than style over substance with not-so-subtle nods to the Jurassic Park franchise to boot. At least the soundtrack was a success due to its heavy reliance of alternative rock and industrial metal even if the only successful song was a Puff Daddy track.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Come with me #4

#64 for 1998

If you're wondering how on earth this English punk rocker scored massive success in America despite this being a huge bomb for him in his homeland, I should point out that he was based in New York city when he released this album which explains the success he had on Billboard. Of course, it was more of a success in the southern hemisphere where he reigned supreme in Australia and NZ.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Rebel yell #46

Eyes without a face #4

Flesh for fantasy #29

Catch my fall #50

#16 for 1984 (#25 cash box)

It took them four albums as well as huge international success with their second and third albums (at least with their singles) however Salt N Pepa finally managed to achieve massive success in their native America with this album due to how inescapable the singles were on Billboard. This was also a massive hit here in Australia, although it was curiously a bomb in NZ where hip hop reigned supreme.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Shoop #4 (#2 airplay)

Whatta man #3 (#4 cash box)

Heaven and hell #32

#18 for 1994 (#36 cash box)

#132 for 1995

Much like the rest of the world, this was a massive success for these guys as there was no indication this would be the last time Roger Waters would be the lead vocalist for Pink Floyd. We still have more entries to get to on this list from these guys, meaning that much like in the UK, this wasn't their worst performing album like it was in Australia and NZ.

Peak position #6

#24 for 1983 (cash box)

I'm a bit surprised that this greatest hits album wasn't more of a success in America than it was in Australia or NZ, granted that might be because it didn't rebound on the Billboard charts in 1983 like it did in the southern hemisphere, but that just makes it confusing as to why Steven's fellow Americans didn't follow suit when that happened here.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

That girl #4

Do I do #13

#86 for 1982 (#32 cash box)

If you thought the absence of these guys on my Australian and NZ lists were suspicious, that might be because they weren't that successful in their homeland given how it's taken this long to feature an entry from KC and the sunshine band on this list. They had far better luck with their singles on Billboard as they had five chart toppers over there as opposed to just the one here in Australia.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Get down tonight #1

That's the way I like it #1

Boogie shoes #35

#52 for 1975 (cash box)

#74 for 1976 (#13 cash box)

Was there any doubt that this live album/soundtrack to Led zeppelin's concert film The song remains the same would be a massive success in America like it was internationally? The band was on a roll when they released this album and its accompanying concert worldwide which makes it surprising that it would be their penultimate release in their discography.

Peak position #1x2

#21 for 1976 (cash box)

#59 for 1977 (#93 cash box)

As far as their fellow Americans were concerned, this was the debut album from Blondie given how their first two albums were a massive failure over there despite how big they got here in Australia and the UK. Even then, it was only when "Heart of glass" topped the Billboard charts that their fellow Americans finally gave them the chance the rest of the world had given them prior.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Heart of glass #1

#9 for 1979 (#40 cash box)

#40 for 1980

Even though the success of this third solo album from Stevie Nicks in her native America was pitiful compared to what it achieved here in Australia, it was enough of a success to make it comfortably on this list despite a much more tepid reception from American critics compared to Australian critics. This is her final entry on this list as her fourth solo album was a complete dud for her on Billboard.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

Talk to me #4

I can't wait #16

#41 for 1986 (#46 cash box)

This is another album that snuck onto the Australian side of my list due to the lack of competition there was on our charts throughout the 70's, although considering all the entries from that decade on my bonus list, the fact this made the cut might be head scratching to anyone reading this. I guess the lead single was a massive worldwide hit for Minnie Riperton even if the internet despises it nowadays.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Loving you #1

#11 for 1975 (#51 cash box)

This came close to appearing on my UK list as it did chart quite high for the Rolling stones in their homeland, alas there were too many compilation albums for it to compete with to make the final cut there. Fortunately (or unfortunately if you're a fan of the band) it makes it comfortably on this list due to the lead single being a much bigger hit for the band on Billboard than it was at home.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Harlem shuffle #5

One hit to the body #28

#70 for 1986 (#29 cash box)

Much like the rest of the world, this was only a modest success for Nirvana upon its initial release in their native America, hence why it's lower on this list. I guess this is a less commercially viable album compared to their earlier entry on this list which makes its mainstream success a surprise especially compared to what else was getting popular throughout the 90's.

Peak position #1x1

#74 for 1993

#33 for 1994 (#32 cash box)

While it was a much bigger success for Barbra Streisand in America than it was here in Australia, the fact that it likely only took off thanks to her feminist anthem with Donna Summer suggests that even her fellow Americans were beginning to grow tired of the singer/actress by the end of the 70's. Her next album proved that wasn't the case as she simply needed to revamp her music style.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

No more tears #1

#53 for 1979 (cash box)

#55 for 1980

I'm shocked this wasn't among the most successful albums of the 70's in America given how this was the introduction to Earth wind and fire throughout most parts of the world, I guess their fellow Americans felt that a greatest hits album from them was redundant at this stage given how successful their back catalogue was on Billboard prior to its release.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

September #8

#24 for 1979 (#26 cash box)

If you're wondering why this album proved to be so much less successful for MJ than it was internationally, that's because it was only a success upon its initial release and didn't stick around for the remainder of the decade on Billboard like it did throughout the rest of the world. This is the best proof I have that nobody outside of America believed him to be a predator (at least at the time.)

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Scream #5 (#12 cash box)

You are not alone #1 (#2 cash box)

They don't care about us #30

Stranger in Moscow #91

#32 for 1995 (#26 cash box)

#177 for 1996

Given how there wasn't a Countdown or TOTP equivalent to brush aside preexisting bands and artists during the second half of the 70's in America, this meant that supergroup Bad company were able to find more success with their albums on Billboard than they were internationally including with their third album which did even better than their second album over there.

Peak position #5

#68 for 1976 (#38 cash box)

Given how many of his contemporaries failed to appear on my site prior to the bonus section of my list, I have to say that it's a miracle this breakthrough album from Bob Seger managed to find the success it did during the height of the Countdown era here in Australia. Naturally it was a big hit in his homeland due to the title track becoming his first hit on Billboard.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Night moves #4

#9 for 1977 (#13 cash box)

I'm a bit surprised this wasn't more of a success for Paul McCartney in America given how the lead single became his first solo chart topper on Billboard (provided you consider his work with Linda to not be solo.) This means that the album saw most of its success here in Australia likely due to how much we Aussies loved his work with Wings throughout the 70's.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Coming up #1

Waterfalls #106

#36 for 1980 (cash box)

It still blows my mind that this was a flop here in Australia if even Madonna's fellow Americans were able to make this soundtrack a success for her on Billboard, again this has less to do with the film it's tied into as that remains a critical and commercial failure for her, rather it's an inditement to how inescapable she was as a pop star upon its release.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Who's that girl #1

Causing a commotion #2

#30 for 1987 (Cash box)

For what it's worth, none of the Cult's albums were candidates for my UK list even though they call came close as their fellow Brits did give them minor success throughout the 80's. I don't know how that was enough of an incentive for them to find crossover success in America of all places, however it was for their fourth album which explains how it found an audience in the southern hemisphere for them.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Fire woman #46

Edie #93

#38 for 1989 (#21 cash box)

I'm not sure how to feel about this album's placement on here, on the one hand, it feels low given how high up on this list Bobby's solo debut is. On the other hand, Americans aren't known for having a lucrative dance market, so this makes it one of the rare exceptions to remix albums finding massive success on Billboard.

Peak position #9

#46 for 1990 (#31 cash box)

Given how this managed to make the cut on my UK list from a while back, it would've been awkward if it had failed to appear on this list since INXS were far more popular in America than they were in the UK. They would be more popular in the UK moving forward as this is their most recent entry to appear on this list.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Suicide blonde #9 (#9 cash box)

Disappear #8

Bitter tears #46

#45 for 1991

You know how Barbara Streisand managed to make history in 2014 by being the first artist to have a chart-topping album in five consecutive decades? She managed that by having them debut at number one on Billboard even though they rarely stuck around long enough to be a massive success over the years. This was the case to her second Broadway album she released eight years after the first.

Peak position #1x1

#56 for 1993 (#30 cash box)

Given how this made the cut on the NZ side of my site, it would've truly been awkward had it failed to appear on this list given how inescapable Bonnie Raitt's earlier entry on this list was in her homeland. That said, the fact it has a lower placement on here suggests that its success came from having a strong fanbase that didn't extend to the general audience in her homeland.

Peak position #1x1

#55 for 1994 (#28 cash box)

Surprised it's taken me this long to feature an album from these guys on this list? It turns out their debut album was a complete dud for them in America, meaning we have Triple J to thank for how they managed to find an audience in the first place as they were the ones that discovered their debut album and made it a massive hit in Australia and in NZ.

Peak position #1x1

#34 for 1996

#176 for 1997

I was always confused as to why this was only a decent hit at best in NZ for Matchbox 20, it turns out that it wasn't exactly the biggest thing in the world in their homeland either despite how inescapable it was for them here in Australia. You can't attribute this to Triple J either as the station famously didn't play any of their music given how they were on a major label.

Peak position #3

Hit singles

Bent #1 (#2 airplay)

If you're gone #5 (#5 airplay)

Mad season #48

#39 for 2000

#46 for 2001

For five years, this was the final album from the Backstreet boys given how they were crowned the winners of the boy band wars from the 90's. They reemerged in 2005 where they scored a massive hit with "Incomplete" which was enough for their fifth album to be a success that year, however they've since become a nostalgia act as well as a target for why teen pop is considered a bad genre.

Peak position #1x2

Hit singles

Shape of my heart #9 (#7 airplay)

The call #52

More than that #27

#3 for 2001

Given how their late 80's material have already comfortably appeared on this list, this is less of a comeback for the Rolling stones in America than it was in their homeland given how their last entry on that list chronologically was their 1981 effort Tattoo you. Again, they came close to appearing on that list with their late 80's material, but it wasn't close enough to make the cut.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Love is strong #91

Out of tears #60

#62 for 1994 (#29 cash box)

#122 for 1995

Given how they're a non-American band trying to make it big in America with their debut album, it makes sense how this album from the Pretenders didn't do as well on Billboard as it did internationally for them. That said, this was a big deal for them over there which is impressive given the uphill battle they had to endure, and it wasn't their only success over there as we've already seen.

Peak position #9

Hit singles

Stop your sobbing #65

Brass in pocket #14

#19 for 1980 (#58 cash box)

It's a good thing this was a decent success according to the ARIA charts for Boyz II men, otherwise I'd have to put it in the bonus section of this list which you've probably noticed has grown exponentially as we've gone further down this list. Indeed, the boys were still fairly popular in their homeland even if it wasn't to the dizzying heights they achieved from earlier in the decade.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

4 seasons of loneliness #1 (#12 cash box)

A song for mama #7

#68 for 1997

#66 for 1998

#163 for 1999

Much like here in Australia, the soundtrack to Fame was a hit upon its initial release due to how much of a critical and commercial success the film was. It also launched the career of one of its leading ladies Irene Cara who curiously didn't appear on the TV series from 1982 likely due to her working on the Flashdance soundtrack which won her second academy award.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Fame #4

Out here on my own #19

#52 for 1980 (Cash box)

This was a comeback for Olivia Newton John here in Australia and in America given how even the Americans weren't too impressed with her 70's output barring her earlier entry on this list, indeed this was able to take advantage of her image makeover she underwent in her film Grease as the songs are much more sexually explicit compared to her safer material from earlier in her career.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

A little more love #3

#35 for 1979 (#34 cash box)

We have another British band finding less success in America than they did internationally, although in this case, we can theorise the Americans simply prioritised the lead single over the rest of the album given how much bigger it was on Billboard than in the Thompson twin's native UK. Unlike the rest of the world, they're a one album wonder in America despite their third album spawning a few hits on Billboard.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Hold me now #3

Doctor doctor #18

You take me up #44

#37 for 1984 (#30 cash box)

This was somewhat of a sleeper hit for Don Henley in his homeland, hey at least it managed to make the cut as opposed to his first solo album which was a complete failure for him on Billboard. Still, it's a bit weird that this managed to be an even bigger hit here in Australia where it saw the bulk of its success, I guess we Aussies were making up for not giving his band more success throughout the 70's.

Peak position #13

Hit singles

Boys of summer #5

All she wants to do is dance #9

#13 for 1985 (#23 cash box)

This came close to making it on my UK list from a while back, again we have those pesky compilation albums to thank for why it failed to appear on that side of my site. It saw more success in America for Billy Idol who was on a roll following the success of his earlier entry on this list. Again, we have another album on this list that was a bigger deal in Australia and NZ back in the day.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

To be a lover #6

Don't need a gun #37

Sweet sixteen #20

#28 for 1987

This is the final entry from Sade on this list, although considering how much further we have to go from here (especially considering all the entries I'm skipping over) it's still a massive success for the band in America where it was merely a decent hit for them internationally. I guess Billboard was the only place in the world where it failing to spawn a hit single didn't affect its popularity.

Peak position #7

#37 for 1988 (#15 cash box)

Boy howdy was it a pain tracking down how well this album did originally on Billboard (side note, only use the website's archive as a last resort, unless of course you're willing to fork out hundreds of dollars for a subscription.) It turns out this festive release from Mariah Carey was only a decent hit at best in her homeland, likely due to her label not releasing any of the tracks as singles in America.

Peak position #3

#21 for 1995 (#39 cash box)

This was just as much of a surprise hit for Pablo cruise in their homeland as it was here in Australia given how they released three albums prior to this with no success on Billboard. It wasn't even among the most popular albums of its day, nor was the lead single among the most popular, meaning these guys likely got their big break down under via a Countdown performance that's now been lost to the sands of time.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Love will find a way #6

#77 for 1978 (#26 cash box)

How has it taken me this long to feature an album from Kiss on this list? It turns out these guys weren't particularly popular in their homeland even though modern historians reckon they were one of the most overrated bands of the 70's and early 80's. This was the best they could do in their homeland, coincidentally it was with one of their weaker efforts here in Australia.

Peak position #4

#44 for 1977 (cash box)

Even though he had success prior to this album internationally, this was the Americans introduction to the works of Andrea Bocelli which he released just as the 90's was coming to an end. You've probably noticed the absence of classical music on this list, that's because the Americans weren't too interested in having that compete with the more contemporary releases of the twentieth century.

Peak position #4

#62 for 1999

#176 for 2000

Even though she had a string of hits in Australia and America during the first half of the 70's, she didn't have much luck with her albums in either country with only one or two of them being candidates for this list. That said, it appears her homeland was the only place in the world where this greatest hits album failed as this bombed here in Australia where it thrived everywhere else.

Peak position #5

#27 for 1976 (#67 cash box)

Much like here in Australia, this was a massive sleeper hit for Culture club in America given how it rebounded on the Billboard charts when the band dropped their earlier entry on this list. Indeed, this is arguably the first entry on here that made it purely for how long it lasted on the Billboard charts as it really struggled to make it on the upper echelons of their charts.

Peak position #14

Hit singles

Do you really want to hurt me #2

#9 for 1983 (#26 cash box)

#42 for 1984

Even though they struggled with their singles on Billboard, it appears that Metallica didn't have such an issue with their albums throughout the 90's in their homeland as we have all three of their entries from that decade on this list. Had I extended the list to the 21st century, their 00's and 2010's entries would also be on here.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

The memory remains #28

The unforgiven II #59

#12 for 1998

This is the only other entry from the Village people on this list, this is interesting as the LGBT band didn't appear on Countdown until 1980 which explains why their soundtrack to Can't stop the music was a success down under but not in their homeland. In any case, it appears that 1979 and no other year was their moment as far as their fellow Americans were concerned.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

In the navy #3

#89 for 1979 (#46 cash box)

While this was a bit of a stumble for Bryan Adams in America, it wasn't nearly as much of a stumble for him on Billboard as it was internationally given how it only barely made it on my Australian list and didn't quite make it onto my NZ list. That said, it appears that it was still a bigger success for him in America than his 1991 comeback which is still to come on this list.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Heat of the night #6

#44 for 1987 (#33 cash box)

It's a bit surprising to see this fairly low on this list, although that's mainly because it was more of a sleeper hit fore Bobby Brown as it debuted high on Billboard, quickly fell off the upper echelons of their charts but stuck around whenever one of the singles was released over there. This was his final success even in his homeland as his marriage to Whitney Houston overshadowed both their careers.

Peak position #2

Hit singles

Humping around #3 (#4 airplay)

Good enough #7 (#5 airplay)

Get away #14

#82 for 1992 (#35 cash box)

#52 for 1993 (#32 cash box)

Well at least we're getting some representation from Kiss on this list even if it's on the lower half of it, this is their live album which put them on the map here in Australia and their homeland as well as allowing their signature track "Rock and roll all nite" to chart in both countries following its release.

Peak position #9

#31 for 1976

#62 for 1977

I still don't understand why Neil Diamond didn't have overwhelming success in his homeland during the second half of the 70's, although at least all of his albums are accounted for here as opposed to a few other artists from America that saw international success that decade.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

You don't bring me flowers #1

Forever in blue jeans #20

#61 for 1979 (#59 cash box)

It's a good thing this was a massive success for Marvin Gaye in NZ, otherwise I wouldn't be able to feature his final album on this list given how it spawned his first and only hit single he achieved outside of his homeland. This really was a bittersweet success for him even if he lived for fifteen months after its release, who knows what he had in mind for the rest of the 80's.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Sexual healing #3

#72 for 1982 (cash box)

#45 for 1983 (#44 cash box)

It's hard to say if this was a success due to the presence of Dolly Parton or Linda Ronstadt in America, most likely Linda as Dolly Parton hadn't had a hit since her collaboration with Kenny Rogers and hadn't had a solo hit since her work on the 9 to 5 soundtrack. I'm not even going to entertain the idea of this being a success thanks to Emmylou Harris.

Peak position #6

#62 for 1987 (#28 cash box)

This is another album on this list that appears low due to it being a sleeper hit on the Billboard charts, that explains how it managed to find an audience among us Aussies for Heart where so many other successful albums from the 70's failed to do so. Even though it lasted longer on the Billboard charts, its success in America is about the same as what it achieved down under.

Peak position #7

Hit singles

Magic man #9

#49 for 1976 (#34 cash box)

#22 for 1977 (#25 cash box)

This was only a hit in NZ and America for Led zeppelin given how it by all accounts should never have seen the light of day and only did to allow the band to fulfill their contract two years after they went their separate ways. At least with the new material from the Beatles post breakup, they had the approval of the surviving members which wasn't the case here.

Peak position #6

#46 for 1983 (cash box)

This is another sleeper hit for this list; this time it's the breakthrough album from R.E.M who finally found some success in their homeland after five failed attempts. Interestingly, this sleeper hit on the Billboard charts was more of an immediate hit in Australia and NZ for the band, suggesting it was us Aussies and kiwis that made these guys a household name in the UK throughout the 90's.

Peak position #12

Hit singles

Stand #6

#22 for 1989 (#26 cash box)

Much like in the UK, this was a hit for Gloria Estefan upon its initial release as opposed to when the news broke out that she survived a potentially fatal accident involving her tour bus. This also means that the album didn't do as well on the Billboard charts as it did internationally given how this was seen as simply another entry into her vast catalogue in America.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Don't wanna lose you #1

Get on your feet #11

Here we are #6

Cuts both ways #44

#69 for 1989 (#37 cash box)

#27 for 1990

We're seeing a lot more sleeper hits on this list, this one coming to us from Boz Scaggs second breakthrough album which was a rush release from his earlier entry on this list. Whilst this was somewhat divisive for his fans in America, it was a more immediate success for us Aussies and kiwis given how much higher it peaked on our charts.

Peak position #11

Hit singles

Hard times #58

Hollywood #49

#57 for 1977 (cash box)

#88 for 1978 (#50 cash box)

This is the final studio album from Pink Floyd on this list, we'll be getting to their greatest hits albums further down but suffice to say we've covered their entire catalogue that's eligible for this list. Again, this probably would've been bigger in America had the Americans not had a strict rule against non-American artists on Billboard that decade.

Peak position #3

#48 for 1977 (#26 cash box)

This is the only other entry from the Alan Parsons project I'll be featuring on this list, admittedly this was more of a success in Australia and NZ for the prog duo which suggests that it was us Aussies and kiwis that helped the Americans discover who they were back in the day. It certainly wasn't their fellow Brits given how much of a failure their music was on the UK charts.

Peak position #9

#37 for 1977 (cash box)

We have another entry from the Rolling stones on this list, this time it's their 1983 effort which many fans will say is their final good album before they lost their way with Dirty work. We've still got a fair bit to go on this list and we've already covered all their major releases on it.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Undercover of the night #9

She was hot #42

#54 for 1983 (cash box)

#81 for 1984 (#45 cash box)

Much like the rest of the world, this was a massive bomb for Robert Palmer in America initially due to having a weak lead single. It wasn't until the standout track of the album was released where it became a massive worldwide hit for him, although he managed to score a second hit on Billboard with another song on the album due to it also having a music video comprised of him singing with Lilith Crane clones.

Peak position #8

Hit singles

Addicted to love #1

I didn't mean to turn you on #2

#11 for 1986 (#39 cash box)

If anything, I do hope that all these albums that only barely made it on the Australian and/or NZ sides of my site appearing high on this list satisfies music enthusiasts who use the Billboard charts to discover popular music of yesteryear, this should contextualise how well bands like America did in err.... America which even oldies stations tend to use for their set rotation.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Sister golden hair #1

#21 for 1975 (#34 cash box)

We have another entry that I'm sure Billboard enthusiasts should've been higher when I featured it on the Australian side of my site, admittedly this was a sleeper hit here in Australia due to it not being among the biggest albums of its time in Jackson Browne's homeland. Still, it's neat to discover just how the nostalgia circuit on the internet has formed as we go further down this list.

Peak position #5

#29 for 1977 (#41 cash box)

Now I know what you're thinking, Barry Manilow didn't have a successful album with this name anywhere else in the world, how on earth did it make it onto the main list? Well, it turns out that this was rebranded as Manilow magic when it was released in the UK and when it became a surprise hit here in Australia two years after its initial release, meaning it more than counts for this list.

Peak position #7

#36 for 1979 (#27 cash box)

This is the final entry from Michael Bolton on this list given how even in his homeland, he didn't find any success outside of the time period that's indicated on this list. I'm not sure when exactly the backlash had settled in for him in the mainstream, however going by the internet circles, it was around the time this became a success for him worldwide.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Can I touch you there #27

#103 for 1995 (#44 cash box)

#65 for 1996

While he didn't reach the dizzying heights of success on Billboard that he did in Australia or NZ, George Benson nonetheless did manage to achieve massive success in his homeland including with this entry which was yet another album that only barely made it onto the Australian side of my site due to my insistence of filling up each of my year end list.

Peak position #9

#27 for 1977 (#64 cash box)

Much like Bobby Brown's entry on this list, this is another exception to the rule where remix albums were poison on the Billboard charts given how inescapable Paula Abdul was following the success of her top entry on this list. If you're wondering why her popularity fell off a cliff after her third album, that's because it was a massive bomb even on the Billboard charts that she never released a fourth album.

Peak position #7

#54 for 1990 (#48 cash box)

I guess the fellow Americans to Simon and Garfunkel were as unimpressed with this reunion concert as the Brits were given how this also failed to rebound on the Billboard charts the year after its initial release. Admittedly I don't know why that happened here in Australia and NZ; however, that's the reason why it did much better in the southern hemisphere than it did in the northern hemisphere.

Peak position #6

#75 for 1982 (#42 cash box)

They may have been struggling to recapture the success they had with their earlier entries, however even in America, this pop sellout from U2 was quite the success upon its initial release even if it dropped down the Billboard charts like it did everywhere else in the world following its release.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Discotheque #10

Staring at the sun #26

Last night on earth #57

#45 for 1997

While it was inevitable that Kraftwerk would find success throughout Europe and the southern hemisphere with this album, I wasn't expecting this to be a success in America given just how ahead of its time it is. I guess this list is full of surprises which is why it gives me great joy in creating it despite it easily being my biggest project yet.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Autobahn #25

#84 for 1975 (#66 cash box)

Even though they scored a string of hits in America, this is the only other entry from Air supply that was a candidate for this list, meaning they were considered an singles band on Billboard just like they were here in Australia. That said, I get the feeling we Aussies wanted the Americans to make the band their own given the failure of their subsequent follow ups here.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

The one that you love #1

Here I am #5

#66 for 1981

#44 for 1982

This was one of many entries on my 90's lists that I allowed on the Australian side of my site due to me wanting to fill out those lists with non-compilation albums, as such, it was only a minor success at best on our charts as opposed to it being welcomed with open arms in New edition's native America. It appears the Americans don't see contractual obligations as a hinderance to an album's appeal.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

Hit me off #3

I'm still in love with you #7

#67 for 1996

#73 for 1997

It feels weird that the Doobie brothers saw more success with Michael McDonald than they did with Tom Johnson even in their native America, granted they only released five albums with the latter, however the former only had four albums as their lead vocalist which balances things out. In any case, this was their breakthrough album internationally even though their previous album was even bigger in their homeland.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Take me in your arms #11

#60 for 1975 (#56 cash box)

Had I allowed albums from the first half of the 70's on this list, you can rest assure that Not fragile would've been towards the top of the list given how inescapable Bachman Turner overdrive were in America throughout the 70's. That said, their popularity seemed to fall off a cliff after this album even on Billboard and their native Canada, meaning we can't pin their subsequent failures on the likes of Countdown or TOTP.

Peak position #5

Hit singles

Hey you #21

#98 for 1975 (#48 cash box)

While the soundtrack to Good morning Vietnam was a decent success in America (hence its placement on this list) I get the feeling it only took off over there due to how much of a success it was here in Australia which goes to show how much we Aussies loved the movie (and still do to this day.) The other downside is that unlike here in Australia, Louis Armstrong didn't have a posthumous chart topper on Billboard from this album.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

What a wonderful world #32

#62 for 1988 (#45 cash box)

Although it wasn't as inescapable in America as it was throughout the rest of the world, this debut album from Enigma was nonetheless a massive success on Billboard likely due to the Americans at least being intrigued by the new age genre that was taking the rest of the world by storm. Their earlier entry was what made them a household name in America, although that quickly ended following a lawsuit its lead single caused.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Sadeness #5 (#12 airplay)

#41 for 1991 (#21 cash box)

Even though they had a ton of hits prior to this album in America, this will be the only entry from UB40 on this list given how none of their other albums managed to come close to being a success for the band on Billboard. Admittedly this did yield their biggest hit on Billboard even if that was more due to it being affiliated with the erotic thriller Sliver which while panned by critics was a huge commercial success.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

Falling in love with you #1 (#1 airplay)

Higher ground #45

#77 for 1993 (#33 cash box)

Is me including this album on the list cheating because it only became a success here in Australia in 1994? Hell no! It appeared on this site prior to me constructing this list, so it's fair game even if we have the live rendition of its lead single to thank for why it was a hit down under six years after its initial release. Naturally it was a hit upon its initial release in the band's native America.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

One #35

#31 for 1988 (cash box)

#25 for 1989

This is one of the first albums to make it on the Australian side of my site due to me incorporating ARIA data into constructing my lists from 1989 onwards, as a result, we have ARIA to thank for allowing this entry from Barbra Streisand for appearing on this list proper given how I feel only her fellow Americans were still interested in what she had to offer by this point in her career.

Peak position #10

Hit singles

Till I loved you #25

#59 for 1989

Again, we have one of the latest albums to be released featured on this list, this one coming to us from Madonna who was definitely struggling to match the success she had in America with what she achieved internationally with this release. You may have noticed that there are fewer entries the closer we get to the 21st century, that's because the Billboard charts only started becoming chaotic when their main rival Cash box went out of business in 1996.

Peak position #1x1

Hit singles

American pie #29

Music #1 (#3 airplay)

Don't tell me #4

What it feels like for a girl #23

#64 for 2000

#49 for 2001

There was no stopping George Benson in his homeland during the second half of the 70's, so much so that it makes total sense how he managed to have so much success here in Australia even if some of these albums were only sleeper hits on our charts for the musician of colour back in the day.

Peak position #7

#64 for 1979 (#45 cash box)

While this wasn't as much of a disappointment in America as it was internationally for John Denver, it was obvious that the country legend was struggling to retain the popularity he achieved with his earlier entries on this list even in his homeland, suggesting that once again, Countdown and Top of the pops (TOTP for short) had little to do with his decline in popularity worldwide.

Peak position #7

#37 for 1976 (cash box)

Now this is an interesting entry for this list, namely because we're looking at an E.P that charted on the Australian singles chart in lieu of its lead single which I'm sure will have you wondering if this counts for this list. Of course it does! It featured it alongside "Everything about you" on my 1992 list on the Australian side of this site, and reading my early 90's lists will tell you that there was a lot of debate as to where E.P's should chart down under.

Peak position #4

Hit singles

Everything about you #9

#52 for 1992 (#43 cash box)

This was the first Disney soundtrack to find success in America, again Beauty and the beast did spark interest on Billboard due to the title track becoming a hit for Celine Dion, however it was when her duet partner Peabo Bryson scored a chart topper with the theme song to this classic that the soundtrack took off around the world.

Peak position #6

Hit singles

A whole new world #1 (#1 airplay)

#20 for 1993 (#42 cash box)